How did lobbyists get their name?

Answer 1

Original answer:

I am not certain but I heard, somewhere in my distant past, that one of our Presidents in the early 20th century would have lunch in a hotel near the White House. As a result there were those that represented the interests of various industrial enterprises discovered they could possibly have the ear of the President if they waited in theLobby of the hotel around lunchtime. Someone could probably help me with the details concerning the President, the year, and the name of the hotel.

Accurate answer:

The term lobbying comes from the lace where petitioners used to collar legislators. In the early years of politics in Washington, members of Congress had no offices and typically stayed in boarding houses or hotels while Congress was in session. A person could not call them up on the phone on make an appointment with their secretary; the only sure way of getting in touch with a member of Congress was to wait in the lobby where he was staying or to catch him either coming in or going out.

Answer 2

because you were boren